A Perfectly Balanced Home in New York City

Balancing the old and the new

A mixture of contemporary furniture and clean-lined antiques create a balanced space in this Manhattan apartment.

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The Living Room

The Living Room

"I'm a recent convert to sectionals," says designer Eric Cohler, who built the main sitting area in the living room of a Manhattan apartment around an L-shaped model he designed (the longer side is shown). "Sectionals are just so accommodating. The owners read here, the son watches TV, two huge Labs nap — all at the same time. Everybody's happy." The sofa's Torino velvet is from Yoma Textiles. The pillows came from the clients' previous apartment. The coffee table is by Roman Thomas. Curtain fabric is Vista in Beeswax by Pollack.

Julian Wass

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The Sitting Area

The Sitting Area

To avoid blocking the sensational city views, furniture in the living room — including Gustavian chairs covered in inky mohair velvet — steers well clear of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Living Room

"I'm a recent convert to sectionals," says designer Eric Cohler, who built the main sitting area in the living room of a Manhattan apartment around an L-shaped model he designed (the longer side is shown). "Sectionals are just so accommodating. The owners read here, the son watches TV, two huge Labs nap — all at the same time. Everybody's happy." The sofa's Torino velvet is from Yoma Textiles. The pillows came from the clients' previous apartment. The coffee table is by Roman Thomas. Curtain fabric is Vista in Beeswax by Pollack.

Julian Wass

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The Sitting Area

To avoid blocking the sensational city views, furniture in the living room — including Gustavian chairs covered in inky mohair velvet — steers well clear of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Julian Wass

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Full Circle

Cohler paired two Gustavian chairs covered in Peter Fasano's Delicata in Malt with the owners' neoclassical-style console from Niermann Weeks; they share a motif of interlocking circles. The gourd lamps are by Christopher Spitzmiller.

Julian Wass

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The Hallway

Where other people see a bookcase light, Cohler sees a link to the past. Based on a model from the turn of the last century, "that oil-can light is the design equivalent of comfort food." The painting in the entrance hall is by Mark Humphrey.

Julian Wass

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The Kitchen

The Comerford Hennessy dining table has maple butterfly joints and a "live" edge in the style of George Nakashima. The walnut-veneer chairs are re-editions of a 1958 Norman Cherner classic. Kitchen cabinetry is ebonized rift-cut cherry.

Julian Wass

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The View from the Top

"The Fischer Building clock [seen from the master bedroom window] is one of four city clocks visible from the apartment, if you can believe it," says Cohler, "and one of the things that makes living here so exciting, and surreal." Holland & Sherry's Glacier wool satin was used for the curtains and to upholster the wall behind the bed. The headboard is covered in Lee Jofa's Lela Embroidery in Cocoa. At the foot are twin Knoll stools. Lamps are by Christopher Spitzmiller.